China plans 250,500 mt of additional lithium salt capacity in 2018

SHANGHAI, Mar 5 (SMM) – China plans to build a total of 250,500 mt of new lithium salt capacity in 2018, SMM calculated according to publicly available data.

This includes 172,500 mt of lithium carbonate and 78,000 mt of lithium hydroxide capacities. While the proposed addition would relieve the supply tightness of lithium salt, industry participants cautioned on the progress due to stricter environmental protection policies.

In addition, whether lithium carbonate can be used more widely in battery cathode material remains to be seen.

SMM forecast the production of lithium carbonate would grow no more than 60,000 mt in 2018 and lithium hydroxide by no more than 50,000 mt.  

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